Nutritional Challenges in Cancer Patients: Impact, Deficiencies, and Management Strategies

¹ Research Scholar, Amity Institute of Food Technology, Amity University, Noida
² Professor, Amity Institute of Food Technology, Amity University, Noida

^* Corresponding author: rdkhedkar@amity.edu

Abstract

Cancer is a complex disease that involves excessive cell proliferation and has negative health repercussions. Cancer remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Even if breakthroughs in treatment techniques, including as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, have increased survival, these treatments have a tendency to cause defi-ciencies in nutrition, such as loss of appetite, nausea, mucositis, taste changes, and gastrointestinal disruptions. These chal-lenges lead to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and deficiencies in key micronutrients such as vitamins B6, B12, C, D, and omega-3 fatty acids, which impair immunological function, muscle health, and overall recovery. Effective nutritional treat-ment, such as personalised dietary management, nutritionally enriched food, oral nutrition supplements (ONS), and, when required, enteral or parenteral nutrition, is critical to improve patient outcomes. This review focusses on the nutritional chal-lenges facing cancer patients, common deficiencies and evidence-based approaches to management, emphasising the need of integrated nutritional support in cancer care.